Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany

Deadly Summer Nights
by Vicki Delany

ISBN-13: 9780593334379
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: September 7th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It's the summer of 1953, and Elizabeth Grady is settling into Haggerman's Catskills Resort. As a vacation getaway, Haggerman's is ideal, and although Elizabeth's ostentatious but well-meaning mother is new to running the resort, Elizabeth is eager to help her organize the guests and the entertainment acts. But Elizabeth will have to resort to untested abilities if she wants to save her mother's business.

When a reclusive guest is found dead in a lake on the grounds, and a copy of The Communist Manifesto is found in his cabin, the local police chief is convinced that the man was a Russian spy. But Elizabeth isn't so sure, and with the fate of the resort hanging in the balance, she'll need to withstand the Red Scare and catch a killer red-handed.


My Review:
Deadly Summer Nights is a cozy mystery set in 1953 in the Catskills. The mystery was clue-based but pretty straight forward, so it's not really a puzzle to solve. There weren't many clues or even suspects. Elizabeth solved it once the final clues were found, and she set a trap to prove whodunit. The main characters were varied and engaging, and the overall story was interesting. Historical details about events, culture, and clothing were woven into the story, giving it a distinct sense of time and place. There was no bad language or sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.